URBS¹, MEGALOPOLIS², METROPOLIS³ - ISTANBUL, Ayşegül İzer

Cities gain identity through their unique structures; a city is evaluated based on many elements such as its 'geographical location, social structure, natural and cultural resources it possesses, historical values, cultural activities, and educational institutions.' Universities located in large cities provide highly valuable contributions to the intellectual life of the city and to the development of the city in which they are situated through the events they organize, the exhibitions they open, symposia, and cultural activities. One of the longest-running graphic design events in Turkey, and even in the world, is the “Istanbul International Graphic Design Days,” known by its short name “Grafist,” which is one of the important events influencing Istanbul's design world.

The Graphic Design Department of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University - Faculty of Fine Arts has been organizing Grafist uninterruptedly since 1997 and has opened 72 exhibitions within its scope. One of these was the city of Istanbul in the sense felt by the designer. They blended the Istanbul they could see, experience, and read—if any—with their past experiences and designed posters for the Istanbul they felt. In a city with a historical past like Istanbul, there is an urgent need for it to be reconsidered and redefined holistically within the scope of environmental and graphic design relationships, rather than seeking “immediate solutions right there” by thoroughly examining the space, place, and the dynamic relationships it harbors.

Each city gains its own distinct identity. The identity of a city is largely shaped by factors such as its geographical location, social structure, natural and cultural resources, historical values, and cultural activities. Universities in major cities contribute significantly to the intellectual life and development of their cities through events, exhibitions, symposia, and cultural activities. One of the longest-running graphic design events in Turkey and the world is the “Istanbul International Graphic Design Days,” commonly known as “Grafist.” Organized by the Graphic Design Department of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ), Grafist has been held continuously since 1997, featuring over 72 exhibitions. One of these was an exhibition focused on “Istanbul as felt by the designer,” where designers created posters interpreting the city based on their personal perceptions, experiences, readings, and past memories—beyond conventional descriptions. In a historically rich city like Istanbul, there is an urgent need for holistic reconsideration and redefinition through the collaboration of urban/environmental and graphic design, rather than short-term, ad-hoc solutions, to preserve its connection to its own image and identity.

Key Words: City, megapolis, metropolis, ecumenopolis, urban planning, graphic design

¹ Latin: city, especially the City of Rome. Words like urban, urbis, suburb derive from this. ² A very large urban settlement or the entirety of large neighboring cities. ³ The word “metropolis” is derived from the Greek words meter (mother) and polis (city), originally meterpolis, meaning “mother city.”